The 2010 Olympic champion looked in a good position to win gold again in Sochi. Expectations for this most popular South Korean skater were sky high as she went into the free skating competition in first place on Thursday.

Kim delivered a seemingly flawless performance. But her score of 144.19 wasn’t enough to see off the surprise challenge of 17-year-old Russian skater Adelina Sotnikova, who scored 149.95 points Thursday. Sotnikova’s total of 223.59 secured her the gold medal. Kim scored 219.11 and had to settle for silver.

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“A gold medal wasn’t really important to me and being able to perform in the Olympics is meaningful enough. I made no mistake today and I am satisfied. I did everything I could,” Kim told reporters after the result.

She didn’t forget to thank Korean fans. “People must have not slept well to watch the game so late at night. I didn’t win but I am so happy that I could be able to show you everything I could do. Thank you all.”

Reuters

Yuna Kim with the South Korean flag, Thursday.

Kim had already announced she would retire from competitive skating after Sochi.

On major Korean portal sites, including Naver and Daum, as well as Facebook and Twitter, the top trending phrase on Friday morning was #연아야고마워, or “Thank you Yuna.” Initiated by her fans, the online movement is meant to show the 23-year-old skater gratitude for her perseverance, humble attitude and the way she embodies the Olympic spirit.

Some frustrated observers said her performance was under-marked. One online petition is calling for the International Skating Union to investigate the judging decisions. It says it has picked up more than 300,000 signatures.

Many people also criticized the judging on social networks such as Twitter. “I know it is not about football but Kim Yuna had her gold stolen by Russia,” a tweet by Korea Football News said.

Most people, however, tried to accept the result as gracefully as Kim did.

“I was very touched to see her standing on the podium with grace. For a very long time, Yuna has been fighting not against other skaters but against herself. And that only matters for her. That is truly wonderful,” Twitter user @cafeniemand wrote.

Kim was the first South Korean to win a gold medal at a Winter Olympics outside short-track and speed skating. She also won three Grand Prix and two World Championships during her career.

After winning Olympic gold in Vancouver in 2010, she served as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and played an important role in winning Pyeongchang’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics. There was speculation she would retire after 2010, but she continued on the road to Sochi.

A second gold medal proved just beyond her grasp, but Kim will remain close to the hearts of South Koreans and figure skating fans around the world for a long time yet.